PCL-171
{{Short description|Chinese 122 mm self-propelled howitzer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = PCL-171
| image =
| image_size = 300
| caption =
| type = Self-propelled howitzer
| origin = China
| is_ranged = yes
| is_artillery = yes
| is_vehicle = yes
| is_UK = yes
| service = 2020–present
| used_by = People's Liberation Army
| wars =
| designer =
| design_date =
| manufacturer =
| production_date =
| number =
| variants =
| mass = {{cvt|11|t|LT ST}}
| length = {{cvt|6.54|-|7|m}}
| width = {{cvt|2.38|m}}
| height = {{cvt|2.13|m}}
| crew =
| cartridge = {{cvt|122|mm}}
| caliber =
| action =
| rate =
| velocity =
| range = {{cvt|18|-|22|km}} (conventional projectile)
| max_range = {{cvt|27|-|40|km}} (extended range projectile)
| feed =
| sights =
|breech = Semi-automatic vertical wedge type breech block
|recoil =
|elevation =
|traverse =
| armour =
| primary_armament = 122 mm howitzer gun
| secondary_armament =
| engine = YC6DV1 V-type six-cylinder water-cooled supercharged inter-cooled diesel engine
| engine_power = {{cvt|295|hp}}
| pw_ratio =
| suspension = hydropneumatic suspension
| vehicle_range = {{cvt|700|km}}
| speed = {{cvt|120|km/h}}
}}
The PCL-171 is an assault-vehicle-mounted, 122 mm self-propelled howitzer used by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Ground Force.{{cite web|last=Dominguez|first=Gabriel|date=14 May 2021|title=PCL-171 SPH in service with PLAGF's 75th Group Army|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/pcl-171-sph-in-service-with-plagfs-75th-group-army|website=Janes|access-date=11 August 2023}} The designation "PCL" is an acronym derived from pinyin ({{Zh|s=炮车榴弹炮|p=Pào Chē Liúdànpào|l=Gun Vehicle Howitzer}}).
Development
The PCL-171 made its first public appearance during a CCTV report of an exercise in December 2020. According to the report, it entered service in the second half of 2020.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}
It was designed as an even more mobile and lightweight platform to complement the PCL-161, which is based on a larger truck chassis but also equipped with a 122 mm howitzer.
Design
Each battery consists of 6 PCL-171 guns, command vehicles, ammunition vehicles, reconnaissance vehicles and other equipment.{{cite web|date=2021-05-02|title=The small and powerful PCL171 ultra-light self-propelled howitzer is a big killer for our army's rapid reaction forces|url=http://min.news/en/military/61aebf71351493e38c74f7197f4aafe1.html|website=min.news|access-date=2021-05-02}} Some of the non-gun vehicles are based on Dongfeng Mengshi CTL181A 4×4 armoured vehicles, with at least two variants in service. The command vehicle has communications equipment mounted on the vehicle while the reconnaissance vehicle is fitted with a counter-battery radar system, including a radar antenna and an opto-electronic sight mounted on an elevating mast.{{cite web|last1=Dominguez|first1=Gabriel|last2=Cazalet|first2=Mark|date=26 April 2021|title=PLAGF's 72nd Group Army conducts live-fire drills with new light 122 mm 6×6 SPH|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/plagfs-72nd-group-army-conducts-live-fire-drills-with-new-light-122-mm-66-sph|website=Janes|access-date=11 August 2023}}
= Gun =
The howitzer has a maximum firing range of {{cvt|18|-|22|km}} with conventional ammunition and up to {{cvt|27|-|40|km}} with extended range ammunition.{{cite web|title=PCL-171 122mm Truck Cannon (SPH)|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/pcl-171.htm|website=GlobalSecurity.org|access-date=11 August 2023}} Each vehicle can carry 28 rounds of 122 mm rounds, for a total of 168 rounds of rounds for a battery of 6 guns.
= Vehicle =
The PCL-171 is based on Dongfeng Mengshi 6×6 assault vehicle chassis, specifically the CTL181A variant.{{cite magazine|last=Miller|first=Stephen W.|date=11 January 2021|title=China's New High Mobility Truck Artillery|url=https://asianmilitaryreview.com/2021/01/chinas-new-high-mobility-truck-artillery/|magazine=Asian Military Review|access-date=11 August 2023}}
After the gun enters its firing position, 2 front hydraulic jacks and 2 backhoes can be automatically lowered to increase stability. PCL-171 is fitted with hydropneumatic suspension, allowing better gun depression when direct firing.{{cite web|url=https://www.sohu.com/a/498864270_117833 |title=宋楠：从珠海航展研判东风汽车的军事核心技术领域大创新！ |website=Sohu News |date=3 November 2021 |author=宋楠 }}
Deployment
Operators
- {{flag|China}}: People's Liberation Army Ground Force – 120 units as of 2022.{{cite book|author=International Institute for Strategic Studies|author-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies|editor-last=Hackett |editor-first=James |year=2023|title=The Military Balance 2023|location=London|publisher=Routledge|page=239|isbn=978-1-032-50895-5}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38VYT_23430 直击演训场：战力猛增！解放军新型车载榴弹炮实弹射击画面公开 三代“猛士” 电子侦察车 指挥车罕见同框亮相！| 军迷天下] {{in lang|zh}} – CCTV7 documentary on YouTube featuring PCL-171
{{PRCAFVs}}
Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 2020s
Category:Self-propelled artillery of the People's Republic of China